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At a time of intense public debate about whether Britain should go to war or not, here are five anti-war hits – songs that many people didn’t even realise were about war:
1. THE MONKEES – Last Train to Clarksville
Members of the Monkees later said the only way they could get their 1966 anti-Vietnam War hit to even get air time – never mind get to number 1 – was by making it sound like an upbeat love song. It’s actually about a young Vietnam conscript seeing his girlfriend for the last time before he gets sent off to be killed:
“And I don’t know If I’m ever coming home”
2. ROBERT WYATT/ELVIS COSTELLO – Shipbuilding
Costello’s 1982 anti-Falklands War song was relatively subtle in its anti-war polemic – but so much more powerful for it:
“Within weeks they’ll be re-opening the shipyards
And notifying the next of kin”
3. PRINCE – Money Don’t Matter 2 Night
The only song (I think) written in protest against the first Gulf War in 1990. And no – it’s not about gambling:
“So what if we’re controlling all the oil,
Is it worth a child dying for?”
4. REM – Orange Crush
The orange referred to in the title is not an orange-flavoured drink- but the infamous Agent Orange:
“High on the booze, In a tent
Paved with blood, Nine inch howl
Brave the night, Chopper comin’ in”
5. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – Born in the USA
Ronald Reagan thought it was a patriotic anthem, and many Americans still do. But shhh! The chorus is meant to be sarcastic:
“I had a brother at Khe Sahn
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They’re still there, he’s all gone”
Did I miss any? If so, please feel free to tell me in the comments below…
Pride's Purge 
Very good points, Mr Pride.
What about Abba’s Fernando? Seriously, I always think about it as an anti war song. Jimmy Webb’s Galveston is another sleeper.
You might like to read my piece on anti war songs. https://howlinginfinite.wordpress.com/2015/11/08/tales-of-yankee-power/
Cheers
Paul
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Green day-Holiday
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Two best ever anti war songs by Scotsman now resident in Australia Eric Bogle no mans land and waltzing Matilda. Both would bring a tear to a glass eye.
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Well since it’s nearly Christmas how about Jona Lewie – Stop the Cavalry, or John Lennon – Imagine
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Reblogged this on pictishbeastie.
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Pingback: 5 anti-war songs that got in under the radar | pictishbeastie
Welcome back Tom! Forget Political Scrapbook, it’s 99% drivel.
I suggest “Us and Them” – Pink Floyd.
I’m pretty sure Cameron actually said – “…if you give ’em a quick short, sharp shock, they don’t do it again. Dig it?”
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im so glad this biogs back
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Welcome back, Mr. Pride! –I still think Country Joe and the Fish’s anthemic anti-Vietnam anti-war song “Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die (Rag)” was very apposite for its time, with its hilarious sarcasm, irony, and cynicism. — I don’t think it slipped under the radar, but it was a decent riposte to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war policy.
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New Model Army – their song about the Falklands War and the diversionary advantages it provided for Thatcher. Can’t remember the name but one line went ‘The natives are restless tonight, penned in their estates with no dissent’. Anyone recall it?
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Reblogged this on lawrencerowntree.
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